help needed with AutoCAD LT....

[thekitchendesigner]

Hi all,

I now have the need to use AutoCAD LT and cant work out what to do as ive never used it before!

I use specialist software for kitchen planning so i'm very familiar with working in this way, but just need some pointers with where to start on AutoCAD.

I've got examples of what i am expected to produce for my client.

Would anyone be so kind as to help me out??

Thanks

[gapgb]

I used to use it a while ago, what do you need to do?

[thekitchendesigner]

i'll reply using email in your sig. Thanks Guy

[Hedgehog Toys]

Having used Autocad for the last 17 years, give me a shout if you need any help.

Chris

[KM-Tiger]

I now have the need to use AutoCAD LT
If it's not too late, and what you need to do is simple, save yourself a lot of money by not buying it. Although ACad is the default standard for CAD, it doesn't follow that the program is either good or easy to use. Autodesk indulge in very dubious marketing techniques, which force users to upgrade every 2 years whether they need to or not.

You have a number of alternatives. If you must use the ACad DWG file format there is:-

Bricscad (http://www.bricscad.com/) is about one fifth the price of ACad and just as good.

A9Tech (http://www.a9tech.com/products/a9cad/) produce a free CAD program that uses DWG format. It has some limitations, eg no Stretch command, but can do a lot for nothing. They also produce a free converter if you get into a tangle with 2006/2004 format vs 2002/2000, and I can vouch for that working well.

My favourite CAD program is Visual Cadd (http://www.tritools.com) which you will learn in a lot less time than ACad. It uses its own file format, but translates to/from DWG 2002 OK. Compared to ACad it is *very* easy to use.

All that said, any CAD program is going to take a number of weeks/months to learn to the point of producing something you are happy to send to others.